Start IT Up is committed to creating a fair, inspiring and competitive environment for every dancer. To better reflect the diverse training backgrounds we are implementing a three tier level system. Incorporating hours of training a week, years of experience, as well as age.
Start IT Up Levels
Hours Danced a Week
Pre-Competitive
0-3.0 hours of training (per week)
Competitive
3.1-6.0 hours of training (per week)
Accelerated
6.1-8.0 hours of training (per week)
Elite
8.1+ hours of training (per week)
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To determine hours of dance a week include technique, choreo classes, recreational classes, and any other dance training in/out of the studio
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Please note, any individual who has danced 8.1+ hours a week in the past but does not meet that criteria this season MUST be entered in the Elite division. Implementing this rules allows for the most fair marking process
Years of Experience
Rising Stars 5 and under
Beginner In their first year of experience
Novice 2-3 Years of experience
2-3 Years of experience
Junior
4-5 years of experience
Intermediate
6-7 years of experience
Senior
8-9 years of experience
Advanced
10+ years of experience
For years of experience, count age six and up
Age Group Divisions
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5 and under (this is the only age where prompting is allowed)
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6-7
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8-9
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10-11
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12-13
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14-15
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16-17
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18-19
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20+ (Adult)
*Age is determined off of March 1st*
Information on Classification of Routines
Disciplines of Dance
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Hip Hop: Street-style movement and high-energy performance. Dancers should demonstrate rhythm, grove, musicality, and strong performance. Can include popping, locking, breaking, krumping, or commercial hip hop styles. Based on the number of years of Hip Hop training.
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Lyrical: Blends ballet technique with jazz and contemporary movement to express the emotion and lyrical of a song. Focus on storytelling, emotional connection to the music and fluidity. Based on the number of years of Dance training.
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Classical Ballet: Showcase classical ballet technique includes proper placement, turnout, alignment, and grace. May also include classical variations or original pieces. Based on the number of years of Dance training.
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Pointe: Performed in pointe shoes, based on classical ballet technique. Must be safe, and controlled while demonstrating artistry while dancing fully en pointe. Based on the number of years of Ballet training.
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Character Ballet: A theatrical style derived from traditional folk dances often seen in classical ballets. Routines incorporate ballet technique with stylized movements, storytelling, and cultural dance elements. Dancers typically perform in character-style costumes while portraying a specific story. Based on the number of years of Dance training.
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Jazz: A high energetic and technical routine, highlighting turns, leap, kicks, and stylized movement. Choreography may range from classic to modern commercial jazz styles. Performance and execution is key. Based on years of dance training.
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Contemporary: Combined elements of ballet, modern, and lyrical styles. This style of dance emphasizes creativity, unique movement quality, emotional storytelling, and fluid transitions between technical and grounded movement. Based on years of Dance training.
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Tap: This style focuses on rhythm, timing, and sound created through the dancers feet. Choreography should highlight clear tap technique, musicality, and creative rhythmic patterns while maintaining strong stage presence. Based on years of Tap training.
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Musical Theatre: Routines inspired by Broadway-style performance. Dancers should portray a character and tell a story through expressive acting, theatrical movement, and strong stage presence. Lip syncing, not actually singing. Based on years of Dance training.
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Acro: Showcases the seamless fusion of dance technique and acrobatic elements, combining strength, flexibility, control and artistry. This category is any routine with 5+ acro tricks in it. Based on years of Acro training.
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Modern: A number that has an expressive and foundational art form. Rooted in techniques such as contraction, release, breath, emotional expression and freedom of interpretation. Based on years of Dance Training.
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Song and Dance: Combination of dancing with live singing. Both elements must be performed while maintaining a strong stage presence, musicality, and character. Based on years of Dance Training.
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Open: The open category includes routines that blend multiple styles of dance styles or do not faint into a traditional category. Based on years of dance training.
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Novelty: Any traditional style of dance that doesn’t fit into our other categories. For example Irish and Ukrainian. Based on years of dance training.
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Student Choreo: Designed to celebrate emerging creativity and give young artists the opportunity to showcase their original work. This division highlights dancers who take on the role of choreographer, encouraging innovation, storytelling, and personal expression. Based on years of dance training.
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Adult: celebrates the passion, dedication and artistry of dancers aged 20 and over. This division welcomes performers of all experience levels, from recreational dancers to pre-professionals, creating an inclusive and inspiring environment. Based on years of dance training.
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Rising Stars: A category for 5 and under. Designed to help young dancers grow individually. Our goal is to help them develop confidence. We encourage prompting in this age group.
Please note, we only encourage prompting in our rising star categories, in other age groups their score will reflect if there is prompting
Routine Sizes
- Solos 1 dancer
- Duets 2 dancers
- Trios 3 dancers
- Small Groups 4-8 dancers
- Large Groups 9-13 dancers
- Lines 14-20 dancers
- Extended Line 20+ dancers
- Productions Routines over 6 minutes
How to determine age, years of experience and hours danced a week
The age of dancers will be determined as of March 1st, 2027. Ages will be calculated based on the dancer’s birthday, Start IT Up reserves the right to ask for a birth certificate if there is a discrepancy, this will be requested by the competition owner. When determining age and years of experience for Duos, Trios and groups. Add together all ages and divide by the number of dancers in the routine. If you end up with a decimals round down at 0.5 and round up at 0.51. The same rules will apply when calculating years of experience, and hours danced a week.
*If you have a dancer step in for another dancer, they CANNOT change the age and level of the original routine, if there is a change the routine will not be eligible for awards but will receive their medal placing*
Time Limits
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Solos 3 mins
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Duets 3 mins
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Trios 3 mins
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Small Groups 4 mins
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Large Groups 4.5 mins
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Lines 5 mins
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Extended Lines 5.5 mins
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Productions 6-10 mins
Scoring & Category Awards
Medal Standings
- Silver 75–79.99
- High Silver 80-84.99
- Gold 85–89.99
- High Gold 90–94.99
- Platinum 95+
Please note, we only encourage prompting in our rising star categories, in other age groups their score will reflect if there is prompting
Category Standings
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1st
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2nd
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3rd (when enough routines permit it)
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Adjudicators choice
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Choreography (for group routines and student choreo)
All marks are final and left to the discretion of our hired adjudicators. Any complaints are to be submitted to the competition owner
Routine Limits
There are no limits on the number of routines a dancer can be in. Start IT Up will make every effort to allow for sufficient time in between routines to accommodate costume changes, however due to scheduling restraints this will not always be possible and some routines may be scheduled in close succession.
How routines are scored
- Technique: Evaluates the dancers technical foundation, including proper body alignment, strength, control, flexibility and execution of movement according to style. Judges look for the ability to perform the expected skills based on level and age.
- Choreography: Assesses the creativity, originality, and structure of the routine. Judges look for the use of space, formations, and whether the routine supports the dancers.
- Execution: Measures how well the choreography is performed. This includes clarity of movement, timing, synchronization, completion of steps, and overall polish. Strong execution shows confidence, control, and attention to detail throughout the performance.
- Performance: Focuses on stage presence, projection, and the dancers ability to engage the audience. Judges evaluate facial expressions, emotional connection, character portrayal, and the ability to bring the choreography to life with energy and personality.
- Musicality: Evaluates how well the dancer interprets and connects to the music. Judges look for rhythm, timing, phrasing, and dynamic changes that reflect the accents, mood, and style of the music.
- Costuming: Considers how the costume enhances the performance and supports the theme, style, and choreography. Judges look at overall presentation, appropriateness, creativity, and how well the costume allows the dance to move comfortably.
Marking System
Technique /20
Execution /20
Performance /20
Musicality /20
Choreography /10
Costuming /10
Our Policies
Missing Dancer Policy
If your routine is missing any amount of dancers, let the MC know backstage and they will announce it so the judge can take that into account.
Refund Policy
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise. Our refund and credit policy has been designed to remain fair while supporting both our participants and the operation of the event.
Injury Policy
Dancers who are unable to participate due to an injury will be eligible to receive an 85% credit out towards the following year’s competition (the 15% taken off is a service fee) To qualify a doctor’s note is required and must be signed and dated.
Government Shutdown Policy
In the event that the competition is unable to proceed due to government-mandated regulations or shutdowns, participants will receive a 50% refund and a 50% credit to be applied to a future Start IT UP event. All credits will be non transferable and must be used within the following competition season unless otherwise approved.
Withdrawal Policy
Start IT Up recognizes any studios right to withdraw any routine they want, no refund or credit will be given in this event.
Time Limit Policy
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we remain committed to providing a professional, transparent and supportive experience for all members of our dance community.
Other Important Information
Entry Deadline
Entries must be submitted by January 4th, 2027. All entries submitted after this date will be subject to a late fee if we have the space to accommodate them. An additional fee of $20 per dancer/routine would be added to the original price.
Props
- Props are welcome across all categories and can be a great way to enhance creativity and storytelling within a routine. To ensure the event runs smoothly all prop usage must follow the guidelines listed below:
- Time Limits: A maximum of 1 minute set up and take down
- Notification: Studios must include in their registration if they have any props, and if they need longer than one minute.
- Stage Safety and Cleanliness: Props must not alter or damage the stage in any way. This includes, but is not limited to the use of glitter, paint, liquids, powders or any substances that could leave residue or create unsafe conditions.
- Responsibility: All props must be handled and managed by the studio or dancers. The loading dock is quite large, but we still ask that you remove your props daily.
Miscellaneous
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Studios will be responsible for playing their own music.
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In the event a re-dance is required, it can be granted by the adjudicator and competition director only.
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Remind dancers, and parents that they are NOT allowed to speak to the adjudicator.
Rehearsals
A rehearsal space will be provided at the venue. Studios are required to provide their own speaker. Rehearsals will not be permitted on the stage at any time during the event.
Etiquette
Sportsmanship: We are committed to fostering a positive, respectful, and supportive environment. We believe that great dancers are not only defined by their performance on stage, but also by their attitude, respect, and professionalism both on and off stage. All dancers, teachers, and spectators are expected to demonstrate excellent sportsmanship at all times. This includes encouraging fellow performers, respecting adjudicators’ decisions, and celebrating the achievements of others. Negative behaviour, inappropriate language, or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Backstage areas should remain organized, quiet, and respectful to ensure all dancers have the opportunity to prepare and perform at their best. Dancers should be ready to perform at least three routine prior to their scheduled time and must follow the direction of stage managers and event staff at all times.
*Our backstage manager will be keeping an eye out during the event and picking a studio to award an etiquette award to*
Complaints: All complaints will be addressed to the competition owner in writing. Once the complaint is received you will receive a response following the event.
Lost and Found: Start IT Up is not responsible for anything lost or stolen at the event.
Disqualification: Start IT Up reserves the right to disqualify any studio, dancer, or parents if they choose to not follow any of our expectations.
Theatre Etiquette:
- Remain seated between performance
- Only enter the theatre between performances
- Silence all devices
- Be respectful of all dancers, and cheer for everyone
- Do not approach the adjudicators table (do not enter roped off area)
- Only water allowed in the theatre
Provide the dancers with a respectful supportive atmosphere.
All About Our Showcase
The Spotl-IT-e Showcase
The showcase is divided into three parts. The IT Dancer, Pre Comp/ Competitive and Accelerated/Elite
*See The IT Dancer information package*
Pre-Comp/Comp:
Each studio’s top scoring routine for this division is entered, they compete for First place ($300) and for runner up ($150)
Accelerated/Elite
Each studio’s top scoring routine for this division is entered, they compete for First place ($300) and for runner up ($150)
One choreography award will be awarded ($100)
Following the performances, overall awards, scholarships and the IT dancer will be presented.